Hand-held centripetal exercise devices

ABSTRACT

A hand-held centripetal exercise devices are shown and disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes an outer shell having a smooth outer surface. The outer shell defines an internal volume. The device additionally includes a single ball sized to be contained within the internal volume. The single ball having a predetermined mass.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/308,494, which was filed on Jun. 18, 2014 and entitled “Hand-Held Centripetal Exercise Device.” The complete disclosure of the above application is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates in general to hand-held exercise devices and more specifically to such devices intended to be swung in a rotational manner. The process of swinging this device produces resistance in the form of kinetic reaction to inertia, gravity, and centripetal force. The invention acts as a hand-held exercise device employing centripetal resistance for use in conjunction with overall physical fitness, muscular strengthening and conditioning, joint flexibility, coordinated movement, and physical rehabilitation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The benefits of exercise are well known for an individual's health and well-being. While there are many opportunities to exercise there exists a need to exercise without cumbersome or complex equipment. Over the years many hand-held devices have been developed to aid in the quest to achieve strength, flexibility, and endurance. Most such devices are prohibitively complicated for widespread adoption as the listed patents below illustrate.

Shahinian U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,640 discloses an extended centripetal rotator exercise device with an elongated tubular member such that when the device is grasped at each end and moved toward and away the end members move circularly relative to the tube.

Dantolan U.S. Pat. No. 6,228,002 discloses a hollow metal tube with a hand grip on its upper end and a rotatable weight on its lower end. When holding the hand grip and moving the rotatable weight, one can exercise various portions of the body.

Petrosky U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,950 discloses a device providing two tubular structures and a solid cylindrical bar through a shorter tubular structure which is secured to a perpendicular longer tubular structure. The exerciser is manipulated through a repetitive hand, wrist or arm motion while holding the shorter tubular section.

See also:

U.S. Pat. No. 7,828,703 B1 Portable exercise device.

U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2005/0,096,200 A1 Device and method for exercising a body part of a person.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,047,975 B1 Dumbbell assembly with rotatable weight members.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,423 A Gyroscopic weight training devices.

Additionally, there are many hand-held devices intended for use while the body is in ambulatory. Here again, these devices are either overly complicated, and/or do little to enhance the basic exercise.

For example: Byrd U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,447 discloses an enlarged, hollow, spherically shaped body having diametrically opposed apertures which permit access to the interior of the body for the storage of items useful to the jogger.

Heck U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,401 entitled Hand-held Aid for Human Locomotion, wherein is described a lightweight, rigid, non-compressible device which is held in the hand and which aids in locomotion.

WO 1 992004954 A1 discloses an ambulatory exercise device which comprises a flexible elongated rod, selectively weighted, such that the rod is capable of sustaining controlled, rhythmical and periodic oscillation corresponding roughly to the natural movements of an exercisers arm.

See also: U.S. Pat. No. 4,218,057 Arm exerciser for runners.

BRIEF SUMMARY Objects

The object of this invention is to provide a safe, simple, and fun apparatus for upper body exercise. When swinging the device in a rotational arc, the resultant centripetal force is transmitted as physical resistance upon the users' neuromusculoskeletal system. This resistance produces a safe and effective low-impact form of exercise. Benefits of swinging the device include strengthening, toning, and increasing muscle and joint flexibility in the upper body. Benefits may be achieved while standing, walking, or jogging.

Advantages

The devices simplistic design and function lends itself to users seeking a new or renewed interest in exercise.

Its design allows for the manipulation of a natural phenomenon (centripetal force) to be utilized in a daily fitness regimen. Use of the device produces a physical engagement, variety, and enjoyment not found when performing the same motions without the device.

When the device is used while the body is in forward motion, there is an increase in coordination between the movements of the upper and lower body and a strengthening and toning of the user's core muscle groups.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an example of an exercise device of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the exercise device of FIG. 1 taken along lines 2-2 in FIG. 1 , showing the outer dimension of a sphere or shell 1 with a wall having a thickness, and showing a ball 2 encased within sphere 1 and having a solid body.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the exercise device of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of another example of an exercise device of the present disclosure, showing dimples distributed along the outer surface.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the exercise device of FIG. 4 taken along lines 5-5 in FIG. 4 , showing dimples distributed along the outer surface and an optional outer layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 , a hand-held centripetal exercise device comprising two parts 1, 2 is shown. An inner ball 2, is encased by an outer shell or outer sphere 1 as shown in FIG. 2 . The outer shell is typically constructed by attaching two hemispheres 3 and 4. Outer shell 1 may be made of suitable material(s), such as one or more metal materials and/or one or more plastic materials. Typically the outer shell 1 is of a diameter which provides an optimal fit in the palm of the hand. The hand-held centripetal device may be any suitable size(s) and/or weight(s). For example, the device may be about 6 to about 12 ounces (170 grams to 340 grams) and may be about 2.3 to about 2.6 inches.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1-3 , hemispheres 3 and 4 each have an outer surface 5 that is smooth and is free from grooves, dimples, ridges, protuberances, bumps, structures (e.g., hinges, stands, latches, locks), etc. When outer shell 1 is formed by fixedly attaching or attaching two hemispheres 3 and 4, outer surface 5 of each hemisphere may be completely free from grooves, dimples, ridges, protuberances, bumps, structures, etc. except, in some examples, for a circumference groove or channel 6 formed between those hemispheres when the hemispheres are attached to form the outer shell. Outer shell 1 is hollow and defines an internal volume 7 that contains or encloses inner ball 2.

Typically, inner ball 2 is a singular and solid body having a mass to match the requirements of the user. For example, the mass of the inner ball may range from about 2 ounces (56 grams) to about 10 ounces (283 grams). The size of the inner ball may be about 40 to 80% smaller than the inner volume of the outer shell. Inner ball 2 may be made of suitable material(s), which may be the same or different from the material(s) of outer shell 1. For example, inner ball 2 may be made of one or more metals, such as lead.

Hemispheres 3 and 4, when used, may be permanently or fixedly attached, such as via welding and/or adhesives (e.g., welding glue). Alternatively, hemispheres 3 and 4 may be removably attached or removably connected such that separating the hemispheres allows for inner ball 2 to be exchanged (e.g., via hinges, handles, etc.). For example, one or more both hemispheres may include a twist lock (not shown), hinges, pivots, latches, and/or other mechanism(s). When the hemispheres are removably attached, inner ball 2 may be removed and replaced with another inner ball 2 of different mass and/or other characteristics. Changing the inner ball allows the user to change weight therefore varying the consequent effects.

Referring to FIGS. 4-5 , an alternative embodiment of the hand-held centripetal device is shown. Similar to the previous embodiment, the hand-held centripetal device of FIGS. 4-5 includes an outer shell 11 and an inner ball 12. The outer shell is defined by hemispheres 13 and 14 each having an outer surface 15. Additionally, outer shell 11 defines an internal volume 17 that contains or encloses ball 12. Unlike the previous embodiment, the device shown in FIGS. 4-5 includes a plurality of dimples 18 on outer surface 15 of hemispheres 13 and 14. In the example shown in FIGS. 4-5 , dimples 18 are distributed along the entirety of the outer surface of hemispheres 13 and 14. However, other examples of the device may include dimples 18 distributed along less than all of the outer surface of hemispheres 13 and 14. For example, the dimples may be distributed along only hemisphere 13 or along only hemisphere 14. The dimples may be any suitable size(s), such as about 0.5 inches in diameter and spaced about 1/16^(th) of an inch.

In any of the above embodiments of the hand-held centripetal device of the present disclosure, those devices may additionally include an outer layer 20, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 5 . The outer layer may be made of any suitable material(s), such as one or more rubber materials. Additionally, the outer layer may have any suitable thicknesses, such as about 6 mils to about 12 mils. In some examples, the outer layer may be of a uniform thickness thus defining outer layer dimples 21.In some embodiments, the above hand-held centripetal devices of the present disclosure include only the components described above and/or shown in FIGS. 1-5 to the exclusion of other components and/or structures not described and/or shown.

DETAILED OPERATION

When swung in a rotational motion a centripetal force is created producing a low-impact resistance exercise. The user can vary the size and direction of the rotations to target desired muscle groups. Exchanging the inner ball allows the user to vary the weight and therefore the level of resistance.

When used while the body is ambulatory. The device acts to engage the shoulders, torso, and hips, enhancing the effects of the body's drive through space. Being simple in materials and construction, the device has a utility that is unique and not found in any other hand-held exercise devices. That it is used in a rotational motion produces a safe, effective and low-impact form of exercise. That it promotes a coordination of movement between body parts enhances the users' engagement and level of enjoyment.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment that has been described, and that variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appending claims, as interpreted in accordance with principles of prevailing law, including the doctrine of equivalents or any other principle that enlarges the enforceable scope of a claim beyond its literal scope. Unless the context indicates otherwise, a reference in a claim to the number of instances of an element, be it a reference to one instance or more than one instance, requires at least the stated number of instances of the element but is not intended to exclude from the scope of the claim a structure or method having more instances of that element than stated. The word “comprise” or a derivative thereof, when used in a claim, is used in a nonexclusive sense that is not intended to exclude the presence of other elements or steps in a claimed structure or method. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hand-held device for exercise, comprising: an outer shell having a smooth outer surface, the outer shell defining an internal volume; and a single ball sized to be contained within the internal volume, the single ball having a predetermined mass.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the outer shell is formed of two hemispheres, each hemisphere having a smooth outer surface.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the two hemispheres are fixedly attached together forming a circumferential groove therebetween.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the outer surface of each of the two hemispheres are free from grooves, dimples, ridges, protuberances, bumps, and structures other than the circumferential groove.
 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising an outer layer enclosing the outer shell.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the outer layer is made of one or more rubber materials.
 7. A hand-held device for exercise, comprising: an outer shell having a smooth outer surface, the outer shell defining an internal volume, wherein the outer shell is formed of two hemispheres, each hemisphere having a smooth outer surface, wherein the two hemispheres are fixedly attached together forming a circumferential groove therebetween, and wherein the outer surface of each of the two hemispheres are free from grooves, dimples, ridges, protuberances, bumps, and structures other than the circumferential groove; and only a single ball sized to be contained within the internal volume, the single ball having a predetermined mass.
 8. A hand-held device for exercise, comprising: an outer shell having a smooth outer surface, the outer shell defining an internal volume, wherein the outer shell is formed of two hemispheres, each hemisphere having an outer surface having a plurality of dimples, and wherein the two hemispheres are fixedly attached together forming a circumferential groove therebetween; and only a single ball sized to be contained within the internal volume, the single ball having a predetermined mass.
 9. The device of claim 8, further comprising an outer layer enclosing the outer shell, the outer layer having a uniform thickness .
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the outer layer is made of one or more rubber materials.
 11. The device of claim 8, wherein the outer surface of each of the two hemispheres are free from grooves ridges, protuberances, bumps, and structures other than the circumferential groove and the dimples. 